Rayleigh
Rayleigh is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Roe deer clearing or rye clearing.
Origin and history
Rayleigh is an English name derived from a surname and placename meaning 'roe deer clearing'. It has gained popularity in the United States as a modern phonetic variation combining the popular 'Ray' sound with the 'leigh' suffix. In recent years, it has become a recognizable choice for girls in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
3,000 babies in the United States have been named Rayleigh since 1880. It ranks #3241 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1234.
States where it is most popular
- TX (21.2 %)
- AL (8.3 %)
- KY (8.3 %)
- GA (7.9 %)
- TN (6.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 43 |
| 2000-2010 | 430 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,567 |
| 2020-2029 | 960 |
Nicknames
Ray, Rae, Lee
Fun facts
- Rayleigh was originally an English town name in Essex, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
- The name's usage in the U.S. has grown significantly since the early 2000s alongside names ending in '-leigh'.